Autism - Women

Children whose mothers were exposed to high levels of pollution while they were pregnant could have up to twice the risk of developing autism, according to to a new study. Scientists at Harvard found women exposed to high levels of fine particulates in the air, especially during their third trimester, were much more likely to have children with autism. Previous studies have suggested a link as well, although those studies were much smaller in nature. According to the study, the greater the exposure to pollutants, the greater the chances of adverse outcomes. Researchers looked at more than 116,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study, which began in 1989. They recorded where the women were located during their pregnancies and how polluted the air was in those locations.The BBC explains particles from polluted air can pass from a mother's lungs into her bloodstream, where they can damage the development of the woman's unborn child. And NBC reports unborn babies are particularly vulnerable during their third trimester because that's when much brain development takes place. Autism is a developmental disability that can cause communication, behavioral, and social challenges. The prevalence of autism has increased a great deal in recent years. In 2001, 150 children were identified with autism. In 2010, one in 68 children was born with a condition, and little is known about what's causing this sudden increase. The disorder is believed to be rooted in genetics as it tends to run in families, but that doesn't explain the sudden spike. Leading some in the medical community to believe environmental factors like air pollution must be playing a role. Researchers say this study not only provides key insight into the origins of autism, but it also points to a potential solution to reduce the risk by lessening pregnant women's exposure to pollutants for now. How the researchers define the connection between the level of air pollution and the risk of developing autism in kids?